Computational Biologist, Database Development, Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) - BC Cancer - Vancouver

Computational Biologist, Database Development, Genome Sciences Centre (GSC)
BC Cancer
Vancouver, BC 

The Computational Biologist will participate in the analysis of sequencing data by developing, refining and adapting bioinformatics tools for a high-throughput processing pipeline.  The Computational Biologist will also participate in the development and maintenance of the production databases, which provide tracking of all of the laboratory and bioinformatics analysis pipelines at the GSC.  Additionally, the Computational Biologist will assist in the packaging and distribution of developed tools and analysis results to the scientific community, and will be contributing to the preparation of scientific publications.

What you’ll do

• Assist in the development and maintains the core sequence analysis pipelines at GSC, including but not limited to:

o    QC of sequencing data;

o    Alignment of sequenced reads;

o    Formatting and manipulation of alignment files for use by downstream pipelines (e.g. merging, reheadering);

o    Dissemination of data to collaborators;

o    New analyses pipelines as required.

• Assists in the development and maintains GSC laboratory, quality and analysis databases, including:

o    Routine database integrity checks and database maintenance;

o    Development of views and interfaces for data entry;

o    Development of reports for internal users and collaborators;

o    Investigation of new frameworks and designing new schemas and tables.

• Communicate with stakeholders in the lab, on analysis teams, and with external collaborators to understand and document requirements for development and to respond to questions about collaborator data and data quality.
• Work with upstream and lab teams generating data to be housed in the database, and with downstream users of the databases to meet requirements, and responds to internal requests for query and API support.
• Participate in the development and maintains ETL pipelines between GSC production databases.
• Manage the storage and compression of over 5Pb of internally generated sequencing data as well as the download and storage of external data.
• Work closely with GSC Systems team and Quality Assurance team to establish and carry out best practices for data security, and ensure compliance with ISO 27001 certification, CAP/DAP clinical accreditation requirements and other data use agreements.
• Test and validate new data analysis software for analyses such as alignment, duplicate marking and merging.
• Participate in code walk-throughs and reviews of solutions.
• Participate in the design and builds database solutions, taking performance into consideration.
• Coordinate production problem resolution for assigned applications, including working with other technical teams.
• Produce thorough but concise written documentation of database tables, applications, validations, SOPs, and other processes and procedures as required.
• Performs other related duties as required. 

What you bring

Qualifications:

• Graduation from a recognized Bachelor of Science Program in Computer Science or equivalent with significant computer science components.
• Two (2) years of recent related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable to the GSC Group Leaders.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Cancer contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

You have:

•  Demonstrated expertise in database programming and database design.
• Demonstrated ability in Python.
• Experience designing and/or maintaining a relational database including knowledge of SQL or PostgreSQL, and with ORMs.
• Experience with REST API development.
• Experience with front-end web development (AngularJS, React).
• Functional knowledge of distributed version control systems, such as GIT.
• Experience developing software as part of a team, familiarity with Agile development and ticketing systems.
• Comfortable working in an Unix environment, including experience with shell scripting and common command-line tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently organize work assignments and establish priorities.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular, Full-Time

Wage: $37.89 – 47.31 per hour.

Location: 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1G1

Applications accepted until position is filled.

Hours of Work: Monday - Friday; 0830-1630.

Requisition Number: 190388E

** Please note: Support for nomination with the BC Provincial Nominee Program is not a guarantee, entitlement or an employee benefit after receiving a full time job offer with PHSA**

What we do

BC Cancer provides comprehensive cancer control for the people of British Columbia. BC Cancer is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BC Cancer are committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

Attention current employees of PHSA:  

You must apply via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca.

The internal job posting expires on October 30, 2025, and will no longer be accessible. If the internal job posting has expired, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with the six-digit job requisition number and your PHSA employee ID number to be considered as a late internal applicant. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not yet set up an internal profile, please e-mail internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca with your PHSA employee ID number to obtain your temporary password. Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm, excluding Statutory Holidays and a Help Desk Representative will respond to you with 1-2 business days. 

If you are not a current employee of PHSA and require assistance with your application, please contact the External Careers team at careers@phsa.ca.